Method and apparatus for the production of filaments or fibre from glass



June 13, 1961 w. H. W.,SCHULLER ETAL 2,987,761

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILAMENTS 0R FIBRE FROM GLASS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2?, 195a INVENTORS WERNER H W, ScHuLLEe EMIL FRIEDRIcH June 1961 w. H. w. SCHULLER EIAL 2,987,761

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION 7 OF FILAMENTS OR FIBRE FROM GLASS Filed Aug. 2?, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOQS WEENER Sam/1.1.422 Emu. Fnlsomcn United States Patent Canada Filed Aug. 27, 1958, Ser. No. 757,620 11 Claims. (CI. 18-25) In the known methods and apparatus for the production of filaments or fibre from glass or like amorphous masses or compositions, the filaments are drawn from a container which contains the molten glass, or from glass rods, in such manner that the drop forming at the outlet of the container, or at the end of the rod trailing a filament behind is passed to a drum from which the drop is knocked ofi while the filament adheres to the surface of the drum. The filament is then lifted or peeled-01f by means of a scraper, or a battle plate bearing against the drum or in case of an air baffle plate being mounted at some distance away from the drawing off drum. This scraper or bafiie, which may be provided to be movable, can also be utilized to convert the endless filaments into staple fibre.

The use of conventional methods, however, involves difficulties in the achievement of uniform fibre, and the production of a product of uniform quality from the fibre. Thus, for example, upon starting the glass fibre machine or after interruptions, it was hitherto necessary for the filaments obtained to be removed by hand from the drum until all of the filaments coming from the filament-producing position had been again picked up by the drawing-off drum. It was only then possible for production to be re-started, or for the operation of the machine to be continued.

Considering the fact that in the method on which the invention is based, one hundred and even more filaments have to be removed side by side from the periphery of the drum, it Will be understood that it is of substantial importance that the glass filaments to be drawn-out should be complete in number, since otherwise, for example, in the case of mats or sheetings being produced, thin areas would be formed where the filaments are missing or, if a large number of filaments are missing, this would even leave holes. Similar conditions obtaining in the field of textiles illustrate this. If, in weaving on a loom, one of the warp threads is missing, a defective, thin area will appear throughout the fabric. If several warp-threads side by side are missing, this defective thin strip will be enlarged to such an extent as to form a hole. This applies also to the production of mats or sheetings from glass fibre, except that in this case one does not distinguish between warp and weft, since the sheet or the mat is merely produced by deposition of the staple fibre in a matted form. The effect of missing filaments or staple fibre in the art of producing a glass fibre mat or sheeting however, is the same.

In the production of glass fibre sliver or rovings, however, the missing glass filaments become perceptible in the undue variations of the size of the sliver, that is to say, the variation of the fixed weight of the finished product as expressed in yards per pound. In order to avoid these manifestations, it was, with the known methfrom the sliver producing operation. For this purpose,

2,987,761 Patented June 13, 1961 'ice it was necessary that an operator should be constantly available to tend each machine.

It was, however, not only upon starting, but in con-. tinuous production that hitherto there was the constant risk of the fibre-producing operation having to be discontinued or interrupted, that is to say, stopped, due to any influence such, for example, as an inadequate uniformity of the subsequent production. This was, for example, the case when due to some reason or other individual filaments broke, so that the drawing-01f drum no longer picked up the full number of the filaments. In this case the product was also bound to be faulty or defective. It was hitherto, therefore, always necessary to keep the incomplete number of peeled-off filaments away from the product to be produced until all of the filaments were again picked up by the drum. A second operator had to be kept available for removing this incomplete number of filaments from the machine.

Hitherto it was, moreover, necessary to stop the whole machine when, due to contamination, the scraper baffie and/ or the drum required cleaning.

By the method of the invention, the disadvantages hereinbefore described are removed, since the cumbersome and time-wasting removal of the filaments remaining after each interruption of the production of filaments is avoided, and the second operator previously required for each machine can be dispensed with.

The invention is based on a method for the production of filaments or fibre from glass or like compositions or masses, in which a drum by which filaments are drawnout side by side, and a main removing device such, for example, as a conveyor belt, a suction device, a bafiie, a scraper or the like, by which the filaments are removed before having travelled the complete circumference on the drum and, in some circumstances, may be cut into fibre, are provided.

In accordance with the invention, in the case of a partial interruption of the production of filaments, the remaining filaments, prior to reaching the main removing device, are removed by an auxiliary removing device. The filaments removed by the auxiliary removing device are then advantageously passed to a separate spooling or winding apparatus.

The invention also includes apparatus for carrying the method into effect.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

In the illustrated construction, the main removing device is a scraper, hereinafter referred to as the main scraper, the auxiliary removing device, which is also a scraper and operated in an emergency, being hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary scraper. The invention is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows, on a reduced scale, a perspective view of a filament-, fibre-, or mat-producing plant to illustrate the state of the art.

FIGURE 2 shows a plant corresponding to that shown in FIGURE 1, being however, provided with an additional device for carrying out the method of the invention;

FIGURES 3a and 3b are diagrammatic, and substantially simplified side elevations of apparatus according to the invention in various phases of operation;

FIGURES 4a-4c show components of apparatus according to the invention in various phases of operation;

FIGURE 5 shows a further component of apparatus according to the invention;

FIGURE 6 shows a further construction of the component shown in FIGURE 5.

With reference to FIGURE 1, 1a to 1d are glass rods or tubes, the ends of whichv are softened by heating so that filaments 2a to 2d, hereinafter referred to generally as filaments 2, are produced which are passed to a drum 3 which is rapidly rotated in the direction of the arrow K and by which the filaments are picked up and taken along. Before the completion of one turn, the filaments are, in this construction, removed from the drum by the scraper 4, hereinafter referred to as the main scraper, and thus divided into staple fibres and passed by the draft of air produced by the rotation of the drum 3 to aconveyor belt 6 which moves over the roller 5 in the direction of the arrow B. The fibres are deposited to form a mat or web on this conveyor belt.

It is merely for reasons of providing a clear illustration that only four filament-producing positions in the form of glass 'rods are shown in FIGURE 1. In actual practice, however, one hundred or even more rods may be provided over the length of a drum of conventional width. It will be understood that the filaments 2 can also be produced in any manner other than by the melting of'rods; thus, for example, the filaments may issue from the orifices of a crucible containing the molten glass.

' The removal of the filaments from the drum may also be effected by other known means, such for example, as an air stream which flows in a suitable direction, by a bafile or the like.

Assuming that, as shown in FIGURE 2, it is only the rods 1a and 1d which produce the filaments 2a and 2d,

whereas the production of filaments from the rods 1b and 1c fails, due for example, to the breakage of a filament, then the product forming on the conveyor belt 6 would not have the necessariy density, and the required quality. To avoid this, it was, in hitherto known methods, necessary to stop the machine, and to pick up and remove by hand the filaments 2a and 2d which continued to be produced, until fresh filaments were formed by the rods 1b and so that it was again possible to pass all of the filaments to the drum.

In order to avoid this manipulation which requires great skill, and in order to a substantial exent to reduce the delay, a so-called auxiliary scraper 7 adapted to be movable and to engage the periphery of the drum is .provided, in accordance with the invention, in front of the main scraper 4, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the drum 3, at a radial distance from the drum so that, in the disengaged position, the movement of the filaments and the current of air in the direction indicated by the arrows it produced by the rotating drum, and necessary to divide the filaments into fibre of finite or staple length, are not obstructed. In an emergency, however,

as may occur upon starting the machine for example,

)after a rod exchange, or when the production of filaments is partially interrupted, the auxiliary scraper 7 is applied to the periphery of the drum 3. It will then remove the filaments which continue to be produced, that is, in the present case the filaments 2a and 2d, from the periphery of the drum. The manner in which this is done is substantially more reliable than was hitherto possible,

for in the production of mats or sheetings it was hitherto practically impossible, for example, to perceive a discontinuance of the formation of filaments from one or more rods, and at the same time to pick up and remove by hand the remaining one-hundred or even more continuously forming filaments. As previously stated, it was for this reason that an additional operator was required.

In accordance with the invention furthermore, a drum 8 is provided which rotates in the direction C that is in the opposite direction of rotation of the drum 3 but co axial therewith and provided with a removable cardboard tube 8a or the like on which the remaining filaments are wound during the short period of engagement of the auxiliary scraper 7.

In a further development of the invention, the main scraper 4 and the auxiliary scraper 7 may be inter-connected in such manner that an engagement of the auxiliary scraper causes the main scraper to be automatically raised or disengaged, or inversely. This particular feature is illustrated in FIGURES 3a and 3b, the object being, with the auxiliary scraper in engagement, to protect the motor driving the machine from overcoming too high frictional forces caused by two dragging scrapers (the main and the auxiliary scrapers) which exert a braking effect. In the example shown in FIGURES 3a and 3b, the main scraper 4 is, for this purpose, pivotally mounted at 9, the auxiliary scraper 7' pivotally mounted at 10 being interconnected by a rod or linkage 11 which is pivotally connected to the main scraper 4, at the position 12, and to the auxiliary scraper 7, at the position 13.

If a removing device other than an auxiliary scraper is used, it is also possible to provide automatically or forcibly operating control means by which the main removing device is stopped when the auxiliary removing device is operative. If, for example, the removal of the filaments is effected by air blown against them through nozzles, then a multiway cock by which the branch leading to the main line of removal is automatically closed when the auxiliary removing device is operative, may be inserted in the feed line. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention includes any possible combination of main and auxiliary removing devices such, for example, as a stream of air by which the filaments are normally forced away from the drum and a scraper which is adapted to operate in an emergency.

The handle for engagement and disengagement of the main and auxiliary removing devices may be provided on one device or on both devices.

The auxiliary scraper is comparable to a knife the cutting edge of which comes to rest along the entire width of the drum. To impart an increased stability to the auxiliary scraper which is made of a strip 14 of thin steel plate, the top surface or under-surface of the rear end thereof is securely mounted on a bearing rail 15 of greater strength or thickness. With progressive wear due to friction, the auxiliary scraper is reduced in length, so that the clearance angle 7 thereof increases progressively. The friction on the periphery of the drum 3 is thereby, however, steadily increased so that, as a result, the stresses exerted on the driving motor increase accordingly. In accordance with the invention, in order to counteract this harmful efliect, laterally mounted limiting stops 16 against which the bearing rail 15- comes to bear after the maximum permissible angle 7 is reached, are provided, so that one has a reliable gauge to decide at what moment it is necessary for the auxiliary scraper to be withdrawn from operation and replaced. The rod or linkage provided for engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary scraper is denoted by 17. By this rod, or by any other suitable means, an adjustable contact pressure can be imparted to the auxiliary scraper.

FIGURES 4a to 4c which illustrate this particular feature, show in addition that the auxiliary scraper may be given any suitable shape and may, for example, be formed with a guide member 18 by which the initial spinning of the remaining filaments on the drum 8 or on the tube 8:: may be facilitated.

FIGURE 4a illustrates moreover that, in the disengaged position, the auxiliary scraper is disposed at a sufiicient distance from. the surface of the drum so as not to obstruct the filaments resting on the drum and the current of air U produced by the rotation of the drum.

When carrying out the method of the invention, the person operating the machine need only watch the series of rods and the filaments formed therefrom. As soon as the operator notices a discontinuance of the production of filaments at one or more positions, he or she can, by using a handle, bring about simultaneously an engagement of the auxiliary scraper, a winding of the remaining filaments on the auxiliary winding equipment, and a lifting of the main scraper. The operator need no longer avert his or her attention from the series of rods and the filaments being formed. and can thus at once perceive when all of the filaments have again formed, so that the auxiliary scraper can be moved out of engagement and the apparatus can be restarted.

It will be understood that the control of the operations of starting and stopping the auxiliary and the main scrap. ers, may, if required, also be effected automatically, for example, by photo-mechanical means. For this purpose, for example, one or more photo-electric cells which eifect engagement of the auxiliary scraper and lifting of the main scraper when a filament fails to be produced, or which bring about the inverse process when a fresh filament is formed, may be provided.

Within the scope of the invention, it is similarly possible to efiect a forced or automatic control of the auxiliary scraper, and of the main scraper, for example by means of a damping member, which may be inserted in the rod or linkage 11 (FIGURE 3b), in such manner that, after engagement of the auxiliary scraper, the main Scraper is only lifted after a determined time interval has elapsed, so that the residual filaments adhering during this period on the drum periphery between the auxiliary scraper and the main scraper, are also removed.

The drive of the winding apparatus can advantageously be stopped separately, thus enabling the cardboard tube to be withdrawn and exchanged for an empty one.

The replacement of the cardboard tube 8a or of the whole winding or spooling apparatus is advantageously efiected laterally in the direction of the arrows D or E (FIGURE 2).

The auxiliary scraper is advantageously mounted at a sufiicient distance from the main scraper, as for example, at a mid-position of the periphery of the drum between the position at which the filaments contact the drum periphery and the main scraper,

As illustrated in FIGURE 5, the front edge 19 of the scraper may be so designed as to conform to the surface of the drum. In this case it is advisable either to provide the actual scraper at such an angle that the filament detached thereby is moved away rather more radially than tangentially, or to provide a guide plate or bafile 18 for this purpose. If, however, as illustrated in FIGURE 6 the actual scraper 14 has an inclined surface 20 which extends in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the drum, then the filament is deflected in the desired direction, as soon as it is detached from the drum.

We claim:

1. In the method for producing a mat of staple glass fibres by drawing a plurality of filaments of glass from a supply of molten glass, the improvement which consists of the steps of detecting a decrease in the number of filaments of glass emanating from said supply, interrupting the direct feed of glass filaments to a staple fibre forming step upon detection of a decrease in the number of said filaments, and diverting said filaments from said staple fibre forming step.

2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is also included the step of spooling said diverted filaments.

3. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is also included the further steps of detecting the restoration of the full number of filaments, discontinuing the step of diverting the filaments from the staple fibre producing step, resuming the production of staple fibres and depositing said staple fibres to a mat forming surface.

4. In an apparatus for producing a mat of glass fibres by drawing a plurality of filaments of glass from a supply of molten glass by means of a rotating drum, which drum in combination with main scraper means forms staples fibres and showers them on a surface, the combination with said apparatus of an auxiliary take off means, means supporting said auxiliary take ofi means between said supply and said main scraper means, and a diverter element associated with said take ofi means and selectively op- 6 erative to interrupt the travel of filaments on said drum to said main scraper when less than the full complement of filaments emanate from said supply.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said diverter element includes a scraper movable into position adjacent said drum for redirecting filaments on said rotating drum away from said main scraper means before they can be broken into staple fibres and a spooling device for taking up the diverted filaments.

6. In an apparatus for producing a mat of glass fibres by drawing a plurality of filaments from a supply of molten glass by means of a rotating drum, which drum in combination with main scraper means form staple fibres and showers them on a surface, the combination with said apparatus in an auxiliary take ofi? means for the filaments which take oif means is rendered operative unless when less than the full number of filaments are being supplied to the drum, said auxiliary take off means include a scraper which is pressed against the surface of the rotating drum at a position previous to that of the main scraper means which results in the filaments which are still supplied to the drum being directed from the drum before they can be broken into staple fibres, a spooling device for taking up the filament so diverted, and means for automatically disengaging the main scraper means when the auxiliary take off device comes into operation.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, including a main scraper device for removing the filaments from the drum and an auxiliary scraper device for removing the unbroken filaments in cases of emergency, means for automatically disengaging the main scraper device when the auxiliary scraper device comes into operation and a bearing rail on which the auxiliary scraper device is mounted.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, including a main scraper device for removing the filaments from the drum and an auxiliary scraper device for removing the unbroken filaments in cases of emergency, means for automatically disengaging the main scraper device when the auxiliary scraper device comes into operation, a bearing rail on which the auxiliary scraper device is mounted and limiting stops provided for the bearing rail in order to decrease the stresses on the driving motor.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4, including a main scraper device for removing the filaments from the drum and an auxiliary scraper device for removing the filaments in cases of emergency, means for automatically disengaging the main scraper device when the auxiliary scraper device comes into operation and photomechanical means by which the engagement and disengagement of the main scraper device and of the auxiliary scraper device are effected.

10. Apparatus according to claim 4, including a main scraper device for removing the filaments from the drum and an auxiliary scraper device for removing the unbroken filaments in cases of emergency, and linkage connection between the main scraper means and the auxiliary scraper means for operating said main and auxiliary scraper means synchronously.

11. Apparatus according to claim 4, including a main scraper device for removing the filaments fiom the drum and an auxiliary scraper device for removing the filaments in cases of emergency, in which the operative edge of the auxiliary scraper device is formed to the same curvature as that of the drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,584,517 Verreet Feb. 5, 1952 2,621,444 Schuller Dec. 16, 1952 2,838,879 Schuller June 17, 1958 

1. IN THE METHOD FOR PRODUCING A MAT OF STAPLE GLASS FIBRES BY DRAWING A PLURALITY OF FILAMENTS OF GLASS FROM A SUPPLY OF MOLTEN GLASS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH CONSISTS OF THE STEPS OF DETECTING A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FILAMENTS OF GLASS EMANATING FROM SAID SUPPLY, INTERRUPTING THE DIRECT FEED OF GLASS FILAMENTS TO A STAPLE FIBRE FORMING STEP UPON DETECTION OF A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SAID FILAMENTS, AND DIVERTING SAID FILAMENTS FROM SAID STAPLE FIBRE FORMING STEP.
 4. IN AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A MAT OF GLASS FIBRES BY DRAWING A PLURALITY OF FILAMENTS OF GLASS FROM A SUPPLY OF MOLTEN GLASS BY MEANS OF A ROTATING DRUM, WHICH DRUM IN COMBINATION WITH MAIN SCRAPER MEANS FORMS STAPLES FIBRES AND SHOWERS THEM ON A SURFACE, THE COMBINATION WITH SAID APPARATUS OF AN AUXILIARY TAKE OFF MEANS, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID AUXILIARY TAKE OFF MEANS BETWEEN SAID SUPPLY AND SAID MAIN SCRAPER MEANS, AND A DIVERTER ELEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TAKE OFF MEANS AND SELECTIVELY OPERATIVE TO INTERRUPT THE TRAVEL OF FILAMENTS ON SAID DRUM TO SAID MAIN SCRAPER WHEN LESS THAN THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF FILAMENTS EMANATE FROM SAID SUPPLY. 